Usher D2 Horn Speakers have to go- deal of a lifetime

Bill Baker · « **on:** 23 Aug 2006, 02:32 pm »

Things are changing here at Response Audio with renovations needed. The Usher D2's have been a prized possession for some time but it is time for them to find a new home. I simply cannot work around their larger size.

There are a few details about these speakers that must be discussed with potential buyers so any interested buyers can contact me personally.

The price is outrageously good and my loss is your gain. Please keep in mind that they must be picked up at Response Audio NY as I lost many of the shipping boxes in the flood.

Serious inquiries can phone me for further details and pricing . These speakers sell for $25K and I am letting them go for under $10K cash price.
Toll free 1-888-785-9773

Rather than post all the pictures, I will include only this one with a link to a dedicated page found below the picture. This link will provide you with all theinformation about the speakers themselves.

http://www.responseaudio.com/UsherD2Ultimate.htm

nathanm · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Aug 2006, 03:14 pm »

Quote

"....... XXX are good, very good, but the TAD 4001's are better! Its the cleanest, and most coloration free compression driver you can buy!..."

"......I am a XXX lover, but the TAD is the best you can buy......."

Wow, these speakers are better than porn! No but seriously... I wish I had under 10 grand and lived closer to New York. Those suckers are bad ass! Somebody's gonna get a helluva deal.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Aug 2006, 03:27 pm »

Hi Nathanm,
You're correct. Someone will get one hell of a deal. In fact I am going to sweeten it now.

Included with these speakers will be a schematic for a new version of the crossover for those tweakers out there. Along with this will be a pair of the 4" aluminum chassis AND a pair of ZERO-Autoformers.

These additions will allow all you DIY'ers to go to town. Just choose your favorite crossover components and have at it.

For under 10 g's, you will be getting a superb package worth almost $26K. Besides, I think there are currently only 2 or 3 pair of these in the country.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Aug 2006, 03:58 pm »

By the way, interested parties can obviously audition them as well. They are currently being driven by a pair of Manley Labs MAHI mono blocs running in triode with no feedback.

Scott F. · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Aug 2006, 10:39 pm »

Hiya Bill,

I don't know if anybody is paying attention out there but this is a screaming deal. I realize that most people out there have never heard front loaded horns but once you experience a pair done well, you'll never go back to monkey coffins again, honest.

Hey Bill, aren't the compression drivers in the D-2's the uber expensive TAD drivers? That and aren't the actual horns themselves are custom milled from solid wood?

I know in talking to Bill Martinelli at Woodhorn that his 24" custom built wood horns are selling for almost $3k without the drivers. If those are the TAD drivers, they alone are selling for well in excess of $1500 each by themselves. When you start doing the math, you've got them priced almost at cost.

Somebody is going to get one heck of a deal. So many cool toys, and not near enough money.

One of these days I'm going to get my grimely little hands on a pair of these to write about

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 12:51 am »

Hi Scott,

Yes, the D2's use the original TAD-4001 compression driver. In fact, this driver was recently discontinued and will most likely become a highly sought after classic. Last I knew, some were buying these at close to $2k apiece.

The wood horn is designed to the exact specs of the original TAD TH-4001 horn and there is also a brand new mid-section, including the wood horn (no driver) that will be included with these speakers. Center channel anyone?

I truly wish circumstances were different and I did not have to let them go as I have enjoyed these speakers more than any other I have come across in the 10+ years of being in this business.

Ya know Scott, they would be a great addition to your SET fetish

Scott F. · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 01:01 am »

Well... I could use the D-2's as fronts and centers and then use my Altec A-7s as surrounds. I've got plenty of SET amps to drive them. Hmmm, now if I could just convince my wife to build a dedicated home theatre that was about 50' long and 20' wide, we could do some business

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 03:02 pm »

Hello all,
I have been receiving a lot of inquiries on these speakers from those who cannot make a local pickup. For this reason, I am willing to ship. If I have to obtain shipping containers and ship, the price will be slightly higher (plus the shipping of course). Still one helluva deal.

With everything I am including, you are looking of a package total of 12 packages.

Keep in mind I still will not ship into the territory of another authorized Usher dealer. At least not without their authorization.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 03:10 pm »

Bill,

If I had a big room, I would jump on the deal. Why don't you raise the price a little and offer delivery? I am sure you can rent a truck and deliver them on a weekend anywhere (without Usher dealer of course) in eastern half of the country. You can hire a local highschool kid to load and unload with you.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 03:25 pm »

Hi woodsyi,
It will be hard enough to find the time right now to just tear them down and box them. I have a few show amps to build, a showroom to get back up and running and football practice 4 days a week with 3 of my kids.
It is a good idea though but would have to be reversed. An interested party would have to rent the truck and come pick them up. I would help them load on this end. This would be much less than shipping as the shipping weight would be over 1700 lbs

Bill Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 08:55 pm »

I have made a few phone calls to obtain boxes. Nobody has any of this size but I did find a local company that will custom make Tripple Thickness boxes for me at a VERY reasonable cost.
Shipping is no longer an isue.

hometheaterdoc · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Aug 2006, 11:09 pm »

This is truly a screaming deal for someone. Now that it is possible to ship, I'm sure you'll find someone to take them off your hands..... heck I'm almost tempted to bring them in here myself.... if I didn't have so darn many speakers coming my way already, I would....

You have my permission to sell these D2s to someone in my area if a customer comes up. I wouldn't want to deny someone this kind of deal below dealer cost. I don't know if that will help, but you're more than welcome to do it if it will help seal a deal for you. Good luck!

Bill Baker · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 01:18 am »

Thanks HTD, I am not one to wonder into others territory and truly appreciate giving your area the opportunity to own such a fine speaker. I will obviously continue to send inquiries within your area to you.
I wish things were different and I didn't have to let them go but I also have others in route and need to floor space.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 02:32 am »

I thought I would also mention that partial trades would be considered. Upper end Usher Dancer series speakers, other speakers that I carry, some tube amps, etc.

Please PM me if you have anything in mind.

2bigears · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 03:09 am »

i really love the idea of having a monster speaker.getting massaged with a sonic breeze would be sooo cool.is it safe to say these types of speakers are very warm and inviting.if anyone has heard these,please chime in...thks Pat

Inscrutable · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 11:11 am »

I really have no business seriously considering these at this juncture of my room upfit and upgrade, and yet like the moth to the flame ...

Get back, Satan (Bill)!

hometheaterdoc · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 11:49 am »

Quote from: Inscrutable on 25 Aug 2006, 11:11 am

I really have no business seriously considering these at this juncture of my room upfit and upgrade, and yet like the moth to the flame ...

Get back, Satan (Bill)!

Tim,

You need these!!! Buy them!! I'll even get my cabinet guy to make the matching center channel for ya.... you definitely need these in your new room....

woodsyi · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 12:35 pm »

Quote from: Inscrutable on 25 Aug 2006, 11:11 am

I really have no business seriously considering these at this juncture of my room upfit and upgrade, and yet like the moth to the flame ...

Get back, Satan (Bill)!

Man, aren't they tempting? I could tell my wife that I will simplify my stuff by getting rid of all the amps, crossover, cables, speakers, subwoofers in a triamped system and go for these with simple SET amps. Then again, my room just isn't big enough to do justice to these. I know how you feel. I have sympathy for the devil in this case. If only to just get this temptation ( aa ) off the board. Go for it.

zybar · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 12:55 pm »

If I only had the time to go to Bill's and hear them for myself...I certainly have the room.

Can't make this big a purchase in the blind though.

George

Bill Baker · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Aug 2006, 02:05 pm »

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is it safe to say these types of speakers are very warm and inviting.if anyone has heard these,please chime in

With the right associated equipment they can certainly be very imotionally involving and musical at the same time. As I have mentioned in the past, 300B amplifiers are the favorite to all that have heard them.
Maybe some of the guys from the NJ Audio Society will come across this and comment on their presentation when driven with 300B amplifiers.

Quote

Man, aren't they tempting? I could tell my wife that I will simplify my stuff by getting rid of all the amps, crossover, cables, speakers, subwoofers in a triamped system and go for these with simple SET amps.

No way man, stick with the Hurricanes. You need to hear these with 200 watts of Hurricane force power